Innocent Life Lost to Reckless Aerial Firing in Karachi
A nine-year-old boy became the latest victim of stray bullets plaguing Karachi, losing his life inside his own home in Moosa Colony, Gulberg, on Friday night. The tragic incident underscores the continued failure of police to enforce the ban on aerial firing, leaving citizens vulnerable to such fatal accidents.
The Tragic Incident: A Bullet Finds an Innocent Child
The victim, identified as Mehtab, son of Atta Hussain, was sleeping with his mother, three brothers, and a sister when the stray bullet struck. According to PS Gulberg SHO Zahid Lodhi, the incident occurred at a house located near Dargah Sultani Mazar, close to Surti Factory.
The lethal projectile followed a devastating path, first piercing the main door of the house, then passing through a room door before striking the child in the shoulder. The impact killed him instantly.
Family members rushed the boy to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Relatives revealed the family had already suffered the loss of the father and now relies solely on the mother's labour work for support. The family originally hails from Thatta, where the boy will be laid to rest.
Police Response and Arrests Made
Following the incident, Gulberg police arrested the suspected shooter, Arif Shah, who works as an employee at the Mohtasib's office. Police also apprehended an accomplice and recovered the weapon used in the firing.
Investigations revealed that the gunfire originated from the Karachi Bachao Office, located across Gujjar nullah and under the jurisdiction of Haidari Market police station. A nearby shop owner was also arrested for aiding the suspects and providing information that led to Shah's capture.
Ongoing Crisis of Stray Bullets in Karachi
This heartbreaking incident represents yet another case in the metropolis where stray bullets continue to claim lives of unsuspecting citizens. Despite existing prohibitions, aerial firing remains a persistent threat to public safety, with law enforcement struggling to ensure compliance with the ban.
The death of young Mehtab has left another family shattered and raises serious questions about public safety measures in the city. As investigations continue, the community mourns the loss of an innocent child whose life was cut short by what appears to be celebratory gunfire.
